Awards And Certifications From Dec. 12
Spectrum Cardiovascular Research Selected To Discover's Top 100: Original cardiovascular research conducted at Spectrum Health has been selected by Discover Magazine as one of the "100 Top Stories of 2013." Cardiologist Ryan Madder used near-infrared spectroscopy to identify the characteristic makeup, or signature, of arterial plaque blocking an artery and causing a heart attack. The study was ranked 53rd among the top science stories of 2013. Previous research during autopsies has shown that most major heart attacks called ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions are caused by the rupture of lipid core plaque, a type of plaque rich in cholesterol. However, this is the first study to document the presence of LCP in living patients. Knowing what type of plaque is present in narrowed arteries may help a physician determine a patient's risk for heart attacks and may lead to novel treatment options to avoid a serious cardiac event. Madder's findings were published in July in the Cardiovascular Interventions Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Madder discusses his research in a video clip at: http://youtu.be/ZMQa2jkvnfQ
